Though the years, we’ve always appreciated Sesame Street’s lessons on inclusion, handling “tough” topics and diversity. On April 10, HBO and PBS Kids viewers will get to meet Julia, Sesame Workshop’s new Muppet who has autism. Show creators hope to increase acceptance for people with autism and to provide educational resources to families impacted by autism.
In addition to the debut of the new character on April 10, the folks at Sesame are making available additional content and educational resources.
The new resources include:
- “Meet Julia” Sesame Street segment, available on YouTube, HBO, PBS KIDS, and sesamestreet.org/autism
- Six new digital live-action segments featuring Julia, Elmo, and Abby Cadabby, available on YouTube and sesamestreet.org/autism
- “We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3!” ebook available on Amazon Kindle, Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet, Apple iBooks, and other ebook platforms. Spanish version coming soon.
- Free Sesame Street and Autism app available for the first time on the Amazon Appstore
- Amazon and Amazon FreeTime have donated 100 Fire Kids Edition tablets, to be donated to schools and programs with children on the autism spectrum
- Julia “Walkaround Muppet” costumed character for community events (also making appearances at Sesame Place)
- “We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3!” print book to release in January 2018 from Random House Children’s Books.
- A “Meet Julia” view & do guide filled with activity and discussion ideas
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re active in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit sesameworkshop.org.
